Summary : This truly is the Ultimate Alaska Adventure cruise and will reveal all the best of what Alaska’s Inside Passage has to offer. Over the course of 15 days you’ll experience the wealth of Alaska wilderness, waterfalls and wildlife traveling deep into the heart of the Inside Passage, the way only a small ship can. Take in the rugged beauty of Tongass National Forest and Misty Fjords National Monument. Adventure and discovery is around every corner and the pristine, unspoiled beauty will leave you with lasting memories.

At the end of Tracy Arm, a winding fjord with sheer granite walls, hundreds of cascading waterfalls, and some of the largest floating icebergs in all of Alaska, sits the twin Sawyer Glaciers—North Sawyer and South Sawyer. The fjord is home to brown and black bears, deer, wolves, harbor seals, birds such as arctic terns and pigeon guillemots, and mountain goats, usually spotted high on the cliffs. Later today, move into Frederick Sound—summer feeding ground for the northern hemisphere’s largest concentration of humpback whales. Keep watch for humpbacks, orca, and Steller sea lions.

Choose kayaking and a lush forest trek on a scenic rainforest trail, or go big on a roundtrip 11-mile hike to the glacially-fed and rarely visited Patterson Lake for spectacular kayaking in the meltwaters of Patterson Glacier. Discover the origin of its “Devil’s Country” nickname during a reading from “The Strangest Story Ever Told,” about the area’s mythical shape-shifting creatures called Kushtaka.

Step into the back country of Alaska's wilderness, in an area known for glaciers and rich in gold and quartz. Explore glacial landscapes marked by moraines, muskegs, and mud. Adventure and natural beauty are sure to please whether you choose kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff riding, or hiking today. An abundance of bright red and green navigation lights guide you along “Christmas Tree Lane” as you cruise the winding Wrangell Narrows this evening.

Home to native culture, wildlife, and wonder—Wrangell is one of the oldest towns in Alaska and the only one ever governed by four nations. Before venturing into town, local islanders join you on board for an in-depth presentation on Tlingit and Haida cultures. View recently carved totem poles at Kiksetti Totem Park and step inside the famed and historically significant Chief Shakes Tribal House.

Wildlife abounds in Behm Canal and the surrounding Tongass National Forest—orca, porpoise, seals, sea lions, brown and black bears, mink, marten, eagles, and otters. Paddle along the canal or venture out on an intertidal shore walk or low-elevation trek on the Cleveland Peninsula.

Affectionately called “The Yosemite of the North,” Misty Fjords National Monument represents nearly every ecosystem found in Southeast Alaska. Glacial valleys filled with sea water, and sheer 3,000 foot cliffs are a haven for sea birds, brown and black bears, mountain goats, Sitka black-tailed deer, mink, moose, river otters, and other wildlife. Glide through Walker Cove or Rudyerd Bay by kayak or explore by skiff soaking in the splendor of this largely forgotten corner of the world.

Alaska’s southern most city and “salmon capital of the world” also claims fame to having the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles. While others end their adventure and new guests join later in the day, you will spend the day off the boat. Enjoy an included lunch in town and explore the notorious Creek Street, once a red-light district. A complimentary laundry service is provided today. Later this afternoon, keep watch for eagles while cruising through the Tongass Narrows out of Ketchikan.

Discover living history in Kasaan—one of the most authentic Haida villages in Alaska. Learn the importance of carving, gaze up at totem poles coloring the town, and hear their stories. Visit the longhouse and carvers' shed where the art of storytelling, carving and restoring totems is passed on. Along with its small fishing fleet, this rustic community continues to thrive on the outer reaches of the wild Alaska coastline. Explore the area on foot keeping an eye for eagles and sea birds.

Wake in a remote cove surrounded by breathtaking Tongass National Forest—the largest national forest in the US. Take a “wild” Alaska hike winding through high forest on an old logging trail, and find your way to El Capitan Cave, the largest known cave in Alaska and one of the largest mapped caves in the Americas. Locals—bears, harbor seals, humpback and orca whales, deer, eagles, humans too—enjoy the calm and serenity of the island. And chances are, you will too. Take time to take it in from a kayak and learn from locals about making a life in remote Alaska.

It's Captain's Choice today as you explore the intricate passages and shores along Chatham Strait's Kuiu or Baranof Islands. Join your expedition team on (or in!) the water. Conditions permitting, take to the water by kayak, skiff, or snorkel. Snorkeling is optional, but hidden beneath the surface lies a magical array of sea life only seen from below. Take a deep breath and go for it! Today's discoveries will be within some of the most untouched wilderness of the Tongass National Forest.

Lush forest, spectacular views, play time, and wildlife—they are all in abundance in Frederick Sound. Keep watch along the coastline for birds, wolves, and black bears. With many secluded coves to choose from, you may slip into the waters of Deep Cove, Patterson or Saginaw Bay, or perhaps another hidden gem to explore by skiff or paddle a kayak. Gear up for snorkeling or guided treks. This evening, toast another day of amazing adventure with a cold microbrew or cocktail.

There’ll be plenty of wildlife viewing today. The Brothers, a pair of tiny, rocky islands at the confluence of Stephen’s Passage and Frederick Sound, are home to some of Alaska’s most abundant wildlife, including a haulout for Stellar sea lions. The area is also the summer feeding ground for the largest concentration of humpback whales in the northern hemisphere. Keep watch for orca, humpbacks, and porpoise.

Snow covered mountains, glowing blues, and the white thunder of calving ice take your breath away at the face of Dawes Glacier. As you glide through Endicott Arm you’ll likely find a few seals taking respite on the glaciers smaller “bergy bits.” Tides permitting, explore the narrow passage of Ford’s Terror. Join the Captain for a farewell toast during dinner.

Wilderness Discoverer

Overview : Expedition is top-of-mind with this vessel; and adventure and discovery lay at its heart. Three accessible decks are fully equipped for comfort and action. The sun deck has a sauna and fitness equipment; viewing is over-the-top from the bow and under-the-stars from two hot tubs on the observation deck; and the launch platform on the main deck makes getting in the water a cinch. Onboard are kayaks; stand-up paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; yoga mats; hydrophone for listening below-surface; and a bow-mounted underwater camera pipes the action to the lounge and to your cabin TV.

Libby S.

I’ve sailed twice and it is the best way to see Alaska; a small group up close and personal with a lot of whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, bears, glaciers, etc!

Frank K.

Eugene, OR Jul 2012

Alaska Inside Passage - Ultimate Adventure

Expedition Ship
Wilderness Discoverer

This trip was to celebrate my 60th birthday and the entire two weeks was memorable: skiff tours to the front of South Sawyer Glacier in Tracy Arm, watching the bears at Margaret River, the captain's grilled oysters on the deck. Expedition Trips has been great to work with. As I wrote, we booked through you for the Antarctic Cruise in January and would certainly book with you again in the future.

Theresa S.

Center Point, TX

Alaska Inside Passage

Expedition Ship
Wilderness Discoverer

My experience with ExpeditionTrips was very positive. You called me by telephone when I inquired about the trip and all documents were sent as promised. You quickly fixed an issue with the bed arrangement too, I appreciate that very much. The trip met all of our expectations. We really wanted to see remote Alaska and this was the best way we could find. The crew was absolutely excellent. I really liked the way the crew and staff remembered and called us by our names - that really made us feel welcome. Also, we really were treated as if we were at home.

Payment Policy

Deposit:Departures less than 13 nights: $750 per person Departures 13 nights or longer:$1,500 per person

Final Payment: Due 60 days prior to departure

Payment Methods:Credit cards are accepted for both deposit and final payments (VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover).

Cancellation Policy

All requests for cancellation must be received in writing. Cancellation penalties are based on the number of days prior to departure that the cancellation was received and are subject to change without notice. We strongly suggest you obtain trip cancellation insurance. Failure to secure a valid passport, visa, or air arrangements does not waive this policy.